Sean P. Murphy

About Sean P. Murphy

My connection to hospitality began long before my first job. My father was part of the opening team at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in 1984, and a piece of the original lobby carpet hung in our living room throughout my childhood. I grew up surfing at Salt Creek beneath the hotel, always looking up at it and imagining what it would be like to work there. Early on in my life, I joined the team and began a career shaped by the values that property represents: genuine service, attention to detail, and care for people.While at The Ritz-Carlton, I developed relationships with many long-term guests who became like family. One of them introduced me to her brother, film producer Kevin Wendle, who owned a beachfront estate near Tulum. He was seeking to elevate the property to the highest international standards and invited me to join him in that effort. That opportunity became Hotel Esencia, which went on to earn the distinction of being the only independently owned Forbes Five Star hotel in Mexico. Our collaboration later expanded to France with the transformation of Chateau de Curzay, further deepening my understanding of design, culture, and the guest journey.After several years abroad, I returned to the United States to get married and start a family. Around that time, an old colleague reached out with an opportunity to help open The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos with Auberge Resorts Collection. I joined the opening team as part of the senior leadership group, helping to establish the property’s operational foundation and service culture. Our collective efforts led to the resort being named Travel + Leisure’s number one resort in California.Most recently, I opened The Bower in Coronado, a design-led independent hotel recognized by Modern Luxury San Diego as Best New Boutique Hotel 2025 and featured in Conde Nast Traveler for redefining the hospitality landscape in Coronado. I take pride in creating properties that feel both refined and approachable, where thoughtful design and genuine connection intersect to create lasting impressions.I am inspired by the constant evolution of our industry and motivated by the opportunity to craft experiences that are both meaningful and profitable. My approach blends operational precision with a creative mindset, ensuring that every decision enhances the guest experience and advances the property’s long-term success.

Experience

1. General Manager

   The Bower Coronado

   Nov 2024 — Present · San Diego, CA, US

   Honored as “Best New Boutique Hotel” 2025 by Modern Luxury San Diego -Condé Nast Traveler — First in Coronado: Featured in Condé Nast Traveler as Coronado Island’s first new luxury hotel in three decades, with special attention on its design and rooftop restaurant-TripAdvisor score at 4.8/5-Hotels.com at 9.2/10-Frette linen, robes, slippers, and terry. Le Labo bath products. Dyson hair dryer in every room-Home to Coronado\'s only rooftop bar and restaurant-No front desk in the lobby. All guests are welcomed by their host and personally escorted to their room in a hyper personalized format of unreasonable hospitality -Driving our value proposition not just to exceed expectations, but to redefine them!

Education

• Arizona State University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Communication, General